Studio Album · No. 1
Tormented Songwriting Credits by Staind
Produced by Jeff Gilmer, Mike Mushok, Johnny April · Engineered by Mike Mushok, Jeff Gilmer, Johnny April
Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Staind carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Tormented is Staind's self-released debut, written entirely by the band, with Aaron Lewis writing the lyrics and Mike Mushok composing most of the music. The dark, heavy album set the template for their early nu metal sound and included an early version of "Mudshuvel," later re-recorded as "Mudshovel." It is fully self-written, made independently before the band signed to a label.
Staind pressed their debut themselves and released it on 29 November 1996, selling copies at New England shows and local record stores, about 2,000 in the first year. It runs as a loose concept album about a depressed man who takes his own life, drawn from Aaron Lewis's own struggles. The record got them signed after Fred Durst, appalled by the sleeve, changed his mind on seeing them play.